HC Deb 29 October 2002 vol 391 c745W
30 Dr. Iddon

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what incentives are available to attract NHS dentists to work in areas of shortage. [75381]

Mr. Lammy

The Government are committed to modernising national health service dentistry. Over the three year period 2000–01 to 2002–03 over £125 million has been made available to the NHS to improve local services. In addition we introduced a scheme in April 1999 to encourage dentists to increase their NHS commitment.

Working with the profession and other stakeholders, the Department, through its Modernisation Agency, is planning shortly to test new models of providing NHS oral health care through the Options for Change programme, building on the learning already available from the personal dental services pilot projects.